Cisco University Challenge

Welcome to the Cisco University Challenge! This is an annual event that gathers over 70 students from the top universities in the UK&I to compete against each other in a two day hackathon. We use the University Challenge to showcase Cisco's future technologies, including the Internet of Everything (IoE) and our new Digital Network Architecture (DNA). We invite you to come to experience the true Cisco culture and embrace the chance of being able to explore our exciting job opportunities here at Cisco.

Overview of Devnet

Cisco University Challenge will provide you with an introduction to Cisco's DevNet. DevNet is the new Developer Program from Cisco, providing tools that help you to produce Cisco-enabled applications to sell to Cisco customers, and/or use Cisco APIs to enhance or manage your existing Cisco network
https://developer.cisco.com/site/devnet/home/index.gsp

EVENT GUIDANCE

RESTBe aware that the challenge is a 24hr+ event, which takes place through the night. We encourage you to bring your sleeping bags and other items of comfort.

TRANSPORTATION
This is a long demanding challenge, we advise against participants driving to the event. Participants should leverage public transport or taxi services when departing. Universities outside of Greater London (M25) will be able to partially expense economy-class public transport (receipts necessary).

THE TEAM STRUCTURE

Each university team is to be composed of five people aligned to the following roles.

3x Software Engineer

Expected to build a working Proof of Concept prototype.

Project Manager

Expected to comprehensively plan team schedule and direction, assign group tasks, create and showcase presentations and ensure team objectives are fulfilled.

Business Analyst

Expected to determine the enterprise level use-cases, road to market, business verticals and sales strategy.

THE TOURS

CXC

CXC is the Cisco Customer Experience Centre. CXC provides state-of-the art facilities and capabilities for briefings and demonstrations to our partners and customers. The Customer Experience Centre is an industry leading customer experience, where we invite you to experience Cisco's innovative solutions in a hands-on environment.

Answers

Q: I am a first year university student; can I still enter the competition?

A: Yes, the competition is open to all year groups.

Q: I have recently graduated; can I compete?

A: Unfortunately, the competition is only open to students who are currently enrolled to study for a degree during the year 2017/18.

Q: Do I need a degree in Computer Science or Engineering to compete?

A: No, this competition is open to all degree disciplines and we recommend forming a team with mixed degree backgrounds to bring different perspectives to the project.

Q: Can I form a team with students from a different university?

A: No, all team members need to be enrolled at the same university.

Q: I am studying at a university outside the UK & Ireland; can I enter the UK & Ireland competition?

A: No, unfortunately you need to be enrolled at a UK&I university to enter the UK competition.

Q: Is our project protected? What about intellectual property?

A: Yes, we guarantee that your project is your own and your idea will not be used for Cisco’s purposes.

Q: My university is not listed when I am applying, why can’t I see it?

A: You can still apply for the Cisco University Challenge using the "Other" option on the registration form.

Q: How much can I expense for travel?

A:

Accommodation

Maximum Expense Amount Per Student

Tier 1

£20.00

Tier 2

£50.00

Tier 3

£70.00

Tier 4

£100.00

Tier 5

£150.00

Tier 6

£200.00

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tier 4

Tier 5

Tier 6

Imperial

Reading

Kent

Warwick

Glasgow

European

UCL

Bournemouth

Bath

Teesside

Royal Holloway

Birmingham

Liverpool

Cardiff

London Met

Plymouth

London City

Brunel University London

If your University is not listed, we will inform you of what tier you will be applied to according to your location. Please note that if you need to spend more than the maximum amount please email our mailer university-challenge@cisco.com and request special circumstances with an explanation.

Please read the terms and entry requirements carefully as Cisco will only consider submissions and presentations which conform to these rules.

By entering this competition, all Teams and Team members agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.

All entrants must be university students. Entries must not be in breach of any third party right and must be the entering Team's undisputed work.

Entrants must acquire the written consent of any relevant rights owner in respect of their entries. The winning Team will be required to co-operate fully with Cisco in connection with any promotion or publicity of the competition or future competitions.

Events may occur that render the occurrence of any part of the competition impossible due to reasons beyond the control of Cisco and Cisco may, at its absolute discretion, vary, amend, suspend or withdraw the competition with or without notice.

Cisco reserves the right to exclude a Team in the event that any Team or its Team members bring the competition or any element of it or Cisco or any other party connected with the competition into disrepute.

These Terms and Conditions are subject to the Laws of England and Wales and to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts for the purposes of Teams from UK universities.

Increasing employability is one of the aims of the competition and by entering this competition you consent to allow Cisco to contact you in relation to any employment opportunities they deem appropriate.

For any queries regarding Cisco University Challenge please contact:

Last year’s challenge participants who received an offer

Debankur Ghosh

“The Cisco University Challenge provided me with great insight about the kind of the work that takes place at Cisco. The challenges that were presented showed me the amazing culture of work at Cisco. Interacting with all the talented employees convinced me that this was the place for me.“

Thomas Bailey

“The Cisco University Challenge was a great opportunity to test my team skills on a real world problem. Our software engineering and presentation skills were pushed to extremes to create a prototype and viable business strategy in the time given. It was an experience unlike any that my university could provide and has complemented my CV very well.“

Aurimas Songaila

Software Engineer at CTAO.UCL, BSc Information Management for Business

“Participating in Cisco University Challenge 2014 was an eye opening experience that allowed me to familiarize with Cisco’s culture and the opportunities that Cisco provides to its employees. Reflecting back at my time in the challenge I can draw many similarities to my current job here, where we get real life problems that we need to solve with the latest Cisco technologies in a strict and timely manner.“